MATRA missiles and projects

[Stargazer]

From a 1960s magazine:

 

[Rickshaw]

The Matra R530 Air-to-Air missile was fielded with interchangeable guidance heads - SARH and IR homing. Does anybody know when the IR guidance system was developed and fielded? Was it separate to the SARH guided version of the weapon?

 

[TomS]

It appears that the two seekers were developed and fielded on parallel, around 1962-3. There were a couple of different versions of the radar seeker for compatibility with various aircraft, including the Crusader.

 

[cardonet]

The third photo, supposed to show a R042, is actually a R422A. Its booster has 3 motors and not four as indicated.

The last picture (Matra rocket) shows a R042. Note that its booster has four motors.

Note also the difference in diameter of the missiles: 60 cm for the R042 and 40 cm for the R422.

Note also that the R042's liquid engine was not ready, this experimental missile was powered by solid motors fixed all around.

 

[Rickshaw]

It appears that the two seekers were developed and fielded on parallel, around 1962-3. There were a couple of different versions of the radar seeker for compatibility with various aircraft, including the Crusader.

Thanks. That is what I suspected.